With the Cambridge Cheer Sport Sharks riding a wave of success, having more teams than ever starting to show their teeth, someone decided to move the recent Cheer Alliance Canadian National Championship from Mississauga to Niagara Falls.

Isn’t it ironic; don’t ya think?

But there was no rain on the Sharks’ wedding day, as they had 21 teams and athletes in the top three, with 12 taking first-place honours. That’s a far cry from last year when only three teams were at the top of their divisions.

“There were so many times Alana (Potter, co-director) and I sat back and said to each other or thought, we’re so proud of how strong our team looks,” said Sharks co-director Ali Moffatt.

“Every single team went out there and was amazing, and every team was a contender in their division. It was so close for so many teams. Our gym is so, so strong and there’s such a sense of pride with that.”

For the first year, the Sharks entered individual and duos into those respective categories, and it paid off with four gold medals.

Audrey Gagne was first in tiny level 1, as was Ashley Preddy in mini level 3. The pairs team of Mea Rowland and Jordyn Schmidt took mini level 3, and Emily Vesterfelt and Bella Pimpao were on top in youth level 5.

The Great Whites, perennial champions in the senior division, were also Grand Champions with the highest score amongst level 5 teams and earned a specialty award for the most entertaining routine at the entire event.

While most teams were expected to win, the Baskings provided a bit of a surprise in the winner’s circle, only because they had finished second in every competition during the season. They finally relinquished the bridesmaids tag at nationals.

“They had a flawless run through on Day 2,” Moffatt said.

“(Day 1) they had one stunt come down but they were still in first and Day 2 they executed the most beautiful routine. They beat Wolfpack and Cobras and it was a really good win for them; they’ve worked hard this year.”

On the flipside, two teams not used to losing were usurped from top spot by two points, with the mini level 2 Smalltooth Sharks and youth level 2 Leopard Sharks losing by a couple of strokes of the pen. It was the first loss of the season for both squads.

“That was a hard one for both teams. They both had unbelievably good runs and you’re just down to the smallest minute details at that point. It’s a judged sport, so if a judge happens to like a different routine better or an element better…and that’s what makes it so hard,” Moffatt said.

Second place also went to Cate Robb in the mini level 1 individual category, Lauren Sturgeon and Jada Fleuelling in mini level 1 duo, and the small junior level 3 Zebra Sharks.

Junior level 3 duo Clare Campbell and Megan Froates were fourth, as well as Anna Rivard and Sheridan Parker in junior level 5. The youth level 1 Black Tip Sharks and large senior Hammerheads also snuck into the fifth spot.

The results showed Moffatt that she and Potter have raised the bar among cheer gyms in the country as their eighth year of existence came to a close.

“I think we’ve hit our stride,” Moffatt said.

“We have the right coaches in place for the right teams, we’ve got kids in our program that work so hard and will continue to work through the different levels, and I think we just have it figured out.

“We’ll continue to work hard and push our teams, and the kids will continue to want more. That’s why we’re a leader in this industry and I don’t think that’ll go away. I think we’ll continue to enjoy the success if we keep working hard.”